Middle School Dance

This course introduces students to the technical and creative elements of contemporary dance. Prior dance experience is not required. Basic studies in modern, jazz, and ballet familiarize students with contemporary movement vocabulary as they develop coordination, agility, flexibility, and proper alignment and gain confidence in self-expression. Students are introduced to the choreographic process in a collaborative setting. The end-of-year informal showcase provides students with an opportunity to present original works.

This course is for dancers with prior training and performance experience who wish to deepen their understanding of contemporary dance and choreography. Students explore a wide range of styles and techniques (including ballet, jazz, hip hop, and modern dance) and learn about their historical and cultural origins. Through improvisation, collaboration, and choreographic studies, dancers find their voices and learn to express themselves through movement. The course ends with a showcase of student-created works and includes after-school rehearsals during the week prior to that event.

This course builds on the technical, creative, and performance skills of Contemporary Dance Workshop I. Students learn choreographed combinations and explore a culturally diverse variety of dance genres. Strength, flexibility, and coordination improve through the study of ballet, modern dance, jazz, and hip hop techniques, while improvisation and choreographic prompts emphasize creativity and self-expression. Students expand their critical-thinking capabilities by analyzing and discussing the works of contemporary choreographers. The course ends with a performance of works created in collaboration with their peers and includes after-school rehearsals during the week prior to that event.

This advanced course develops choreographic and performance skills through technique classes, improvisation studies, analytical thinking, and practical experience in rehearsal and performance. Dancers collaborate to create an original, professionally produced concert with an option to participate in additional after-school rehearsals from November to February. All students are required to participate in two weeks of after-school and Saturday rehearsals leading up to the concert in early March.